Water Quality Technician
Do you dream of a rewarding career that contributes to the quality of life we experience? Then a career as a Water Quality Technician may be the perfect fit for you. The concern over water quantity and water quality issues is higher than ever, and as a result, the career opportunities for professionals trained in water quality technology continue to grow. Through our new Water Quality Technician program, you’ll become familiar with the workplace training needs of the sustainable energy, natural resources management and industrial fields.
Develop a variety of general industrial skills such as electrical and blueprint reading. Gain exposure to water processing facilities and get on-the-job experience analyzing the parameters of water, evaluating the effectiveness of water processing and learning how to operate and manage water processing and wastewater treatment systems.
This practical experience along with the advanced coursework during the second year ensures that you know what to expect when entering the workforce and, even better, that you’ll be ready for it. You’ll be ready to operate and manage water processing and wastewater treatment systems with confidence.
Faculty Contact
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Drew Howing Assistant Professor | Environmental Studies 712-362-7978 | dhowing@iowalakes.educreate new email |
Program Details
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Curriculum
Term 1
BIO 112 – General Biology I
Introduction to biology concepts with emphasis on ecology, cellular biology, reproduction and development, genetics and evolution. Lecture and laboratory.
ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
Electrical Theory I is an introduction to basic electrical theory and components that make up electrical circuits. Direct Current and Alternating Current will be introduced and basic laws for voltage, current and power relationships will be presented in lecture and laboratory format. Course content will include, but not be limited to basic circuits, electrical components and their applications. Hands-on reinforcement of theory covered during lecture is practiced in lab.
EVS 173 – Intro to Water Resources
Introduction to Water Resources is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of surface water and groundwater resources, the environmental problems associated with these resources, and the techniques utilized to manage and use these resources.
MAT 743 – Technical Math
Technical Math includes operations with real numbers, use of fractions, ratios, measurement conversion, algebraic equations, functions, geometry, and right angle trigonometry. Applications are designed around situations students may encounter in industrial settings
SER 114 – Blueprint Reading
Fundamentals, principles, and practices involved in producing and reading blueprints utilized in the different sectors of the renewable energy industry with a focus on basic blueprint reading.
SER 116 – Career Seminar
A study of the careers available within the renewable energy sector, with an emphasis on analyzing renewable energy industries as related components of a dynamic system. Students will also learn about drafting cover letters, creating resumes, interviewing, and networking.
SER 124 – Industrial Safety
A study of principles and practices used to establish a safe and efficient environment for personnel in the renewable energy industry and various sectors thereof. The course focuses on general industrial safety, safety and health regulatory agencies and organizations, hazard recognition and correction, and first aid.
Term 2
BIO 113 – General Biology II
Introduction to biology concepts with emphasis on kingdoms; taxonomy and a survey of invertebrate and vertebrate organisms; plant structures and physiology; and animal systems. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisites: BIO 112 – General Biology I
ELE 136 – Basic Electricity II
Electric Theory II consists of instruction that will build upon experience gained in Electric Theory I. Students will be introduced to advanced concepts of electrical theory.
EVS 225 – Collection and Distribution Systems
This course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the hydrology and hydrologic characteristics of water, the characteristics and capacity of the components of distribution systems and collection systems and the procedures performed to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of distribution and collection systems. Topics covered will include hydraulics and hydrology, water distribution systems, and wastewater collection systems.
SER 101 – Energy, Sustainability & the Environment
Introduction to Sustainable Energy Resources is designed to provide a basic understanding of energy, current trends in energy consumption, and the role of sustainable energy resources in today’s society. Topics covered will include matter and energy laws, the history of energy usage by humans, the categories of energy resources, and the environmental problems currently being caused by energy consumption.
SER 230 – Maintenance & Repair of Pumps & Valves
Maintenance and Repair of Pumps and Valves is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of the types of pumps and valves used in water processing and wastewater treatment facilities. Topics covered will include the principles of pump and valve usage, the types of pumps and valves found in water processing and wastewater treatment facilities, and pump and valve inspection, maintenance and repair.
Term 3
EVS 946 – Water Quality Internship
Water Quality Internship is an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in a field and/or laboratory setting through a cooperative education agreement between the college and the sponsoring agency, business, or industry. The internship is meant to be an actual job experience in water quality technology.
Term 4
BUS 161 – Human Relations†
Students are given the opportunity to apply human relations concepts and evaluate experience and observations. Social skills required in various occupational settings will be developed, emphasizing how appropriate personal attitudes lead to social and business success.
PSY 111 – Intro to Psychology†
An introduction to the scientific study of behavior; a brief history of psychology as a science, and topics fundamental to human behavior including developmental issues, sensory abilities, cognitive performance, social and emotional factors in behavior, and abnormal behavior and therapies.
SOC 110 – Intro to Sociology†
A survey course applying basic sociological concepts, theories, and methods to examine society, culture, cultural institutions, cultural diversity, and cultural stability and change.
COM 753 – Technical Communications†
This course is designed to prepare students for the oral and written communication situations in the working world. The major areas of study include technical communication principles, oral communications, composing technical documents, and using Standard English. Writing projects require the use of a word processing program; therefore, computer experience is recommended.
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
MGT 101 – Principles of Management†
Principles of Management provides the student with a conceptual framework for understanding the basic theories of management. Emphasis is placed on the internal and external environment, ethics, planning, goal setting, decision making, organizational structure, motivation and group dynamics, and effective control mechanisms for establishing and accomplishing business objectives.
BUS 102 – Intro to Business
The basic fundamentals of business. Basic business and economic concepts and terminology; management, marketing, finance, human resource management, accounting and other business areas.
ELE 226 – Electric Motors & Generators
Electric motors & generators is an introduction to types of motors and generators that are used today. The characteristics of Direct Current and Alternating Current motors and generators will be discussed and demonstrated through lecture and hands on laboratory sessions.
Prerequisites: ELE 119 – Basic Electricity I
EVS 275 – Water Analysis
Water Analysis is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of water pollution and its impact on water quality; the physical, chemical, and biological parameters utilized to determine the quality of water; and the laboratory techniques performed to measure those water quality parameters. Topic covered will include water quality and pollution, the analysis of physical and chemical water parameters, and the analysis of biological water parameters.
Choose either BUS 161, PSY 111 or SOC 110
Choose either CSC 110, MGT 101 or BUS 102
Term 5
ELE 195 – Motor Control
This course discusses motor controls, components, operation, and service. Students will learn electric relay control of AC and DC motors along with troubleshooting motors in an industrial application.
ELE 242 – Programmable Logic Control Systems
Introduce students to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s), primarily the Siemens S7-200 processors, the Siemens LOGO smart relay processor and the Bachmann M1 Controllers. The course will provide students with experiences in the following: Numbering systems associated with programming and addressing PLC’s Hardware and software familiarization associated with PLC’s Using programming instruction sets to create and edit ladderlogic programs Troubleshooting techniques using a PLCTroubleshooting techniques using a schematic and drawings
EVS 274 – Water Processing
Water Processing is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the characteristics of processed water, the technologies utilized to process water, the operation of water distribution and processing systems, and the laboratory techniques performed to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of water processing. Topics covered will include water processing I, water processing II, water processing III, and water distribution and processing systems operation.
EVS 284 – Wastewater Treatment
Wastewater Treatment is designed to provide the student with the understanding of the characteristics of wastewater, technologies utilized to treat wastewater, operation of wastewater collection and treatment systems and the laboratory techniques performed to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of wastewater treatment. Topics covered will include introduction to current issues in water and wastewater treatment operations, basics of wastewater treatment and basics of water and wastewater solids, treatment and management.
† indicates a course that fulfills the diversity requirement. This course may also fulfill another general AA requirement.
